This week, I was fortunate enough to sit down for a chat with Connor Alexander, owner and CEO of Coyote & Crow Games. Together, we chatted about the ongoing success of his breakout RPG (set in an alternate future where colonization never happened in the Americas), proactively hiring Indigenous creators, and Native American Heritage Month.
Now through November 20th, save up to 60% off the Coyote & Crow Core book and Adventures on both Roll20 and DriveThruRPG.
Thanks so much for sitting down with us to catch up, Connor. As Coyote & Crow rapidly approaches its second anniversary, what are you most proud of accomplishing so far, and excited about looking ahead?
Connor: In the last two years, we’ve launched an RPG, accessories and adventures for it, a novel set in that world, and a stand-alone dice game. What’s more, we had a successful Kickstarter for our new game, Wolves. And, we have three more games in development! We’ve received five awards, including the prestigious Diana Jones Award for excellence in gaming. We’ve partnered with amazing folks like Roll20, DriveThruRPG, Pe Metawe Games, and more that we’ll be announcing soon.
You’ve been busy! On behalf of Roll20 and DriveThruRPG, we’re thrilled to offer the Coyote & Crow Core and Adventures at a discount in celebration of Native American Heritage Month to promote accessibility of the system to new and aspiring players. What do you most appreciate about this special month?
Connor: Native American Heritage Month, recognized in November, is a time when, hopefully, non-Natives here in the U.S. are taking a little time to learn more about the land they are on and the people who lived there before they did and to acknowledge the living Natives around them. In addition to product discounts, Coyote & Crow Games will be spotlighting all of the incredible Indigenous creatives and organizations I get to work with and alongside this month.
One of the things that was really amazing, and helped bolster the success of your game was the fact that it was created and led by an Indigenous team. How has the increase of representation of Native Americans in popular culture impacted you as a creator?
Connor: I’m not going to lie. The last few weeks have been rough. First, I had to watch the final episode of Reservation Dogs, a show that has meant so much to me and all of Indian Country. It was hard to say goodbye to those characters but I also understand why Sterlin Harjo decided to end it on a high note. Then I watched Killers of the Flower Moon, which, while excellent, hits hard and doesn’t hold back. The heated opinions on the film show just how raw we all feel about these topics, especially because missing and murdered Indigenous women is not just a thing of the past, but something very much a current daily reality.
Both were brilliant and showcased just how well Indigenous people can be portrayed if the right people are on both sides of the camera. I’m excited for future Native American representation in the media.
How did recruiting the specific team that worked on the game impact your experience?
Connor: When I began working on Coyote & Crow, I was blown away by how much talent was out there. The art being done by Natives in contemporary media was just stellar. Over the next few years, I was lucky enough to start working with Native writers, editors, designers, layout artists, merch producers, and more. And while I’m close with my own Cherokee relatives, Coyote & Crow Games ended up being a bridge for me to a much wider world. One that I am so grateful for every day.
I’ve since attended Indigipop X, Indigenous Futurism events, met with Natives at Big Bad Con, had Coyote Crow and featured at Indigenous art exhibits, spoken at a world-building conference in Arizona, and more. All of these things have given me the opportunity to speak to Native folks that I might not ever have otherwise. And that’s been one of the biggest gifts that the success of Coyote & Crow has given me. That sense of interconnection.
Sharing mutual respect and trust with your collaborators adds something really special to the final product. Coyote & Crow is a game intentionally designed to provide players with a positive portrayal of Native American cultures from a fresh, hopeful perspective. How do you think that building that sense of interconnection allowed you to publish a better product?
Connor: Unless you’re part of a marginalized group yourself, it can be difficult to explain how good it feels to sit around a group of people who get you without having to give extra context. And the burden that lifts from you when you know you don’t have to (re)explain certain things.
I appreciate you sharing that; as one of the tens of thousands of backers of your Kickstarter, I can personally vouch for the beauty of the product put forth by the creative team. You created something incredibly special.
Can you tell us what prompted you to put together a special campaign during Native American Heritage Month?
Connor: See, the thing about Native American Heritage Month is that it isn’t about the past (or shouldn’t be). It’s about people. People who are alive now and all around you with rich cultures and lives. Who are doing really amazing things. And for the most part, we want to engage with others, whether it’s family or folks from our own nations, or our cousins from other nations or non-Natives that are genuinely interested.
In addition to supporting the Coyote & Crow Games team directly, what are your recommendations for how readers can proactively and respectfully engage during the month (and hopefully – beyond November)?
Connor: Whether you’re Native or not, find some Native folks out there doing something – activism, non-profit work, education, art commissions, selling things on Etsy, making video content (there are some amazing Native TikTokers out there!), running a small business.
Anything really. And if you can, buy something from them. Like or follow their pages. Learn more about them and their heritage. Contribute to their causes. Attend a powwow (where appropriate), check out a cultural center or restaurant that serves Indigenous food (Owamni and Natv are amazing!). Check out some books or comics (ATCG Comics!).
It really boils down to this: engage. Find a way to engage with the Natives around you, maybe learn a little, and support their endeavors if you can.
How can we keep up with everything Coyote & Crow has going on?
Connor: If you want to know more about what I’m doing this month, you can check out this ongoing blog post that I’ll be updating throughout November. You can also check out our website in general.
Thank you again for sharing an update, your knowledge and advice, and of course: your game with us. Always a pleasure to connect!
Connor: Wado (Thanks)
image credit for both art pieces in this blog: Kyle Charles